STIRI
UniCredit Tiriac Bank launches MasterCard Gold Miles & More chip credit cards
- The MasterCard Gold Miles & More chip credit cards have an increased degree of security, their forgery being nearly impossible
- The MasterCard Gold Miles & More magnetic strip credit cards may be replaced with the chip credit cards, for no additional cost
Bucharest, 1st of February 2010 - UniCredit Tiriac Bank launches MasterCard Gold Miles & More chip credit cards. The new payment instruments allow the storage of additional information, so that new types of services and fidelity programs may be developed.
Due to the chip, the MasterCard Gold Miles & More credit cards offer, first and foremost, an increased security to the holders, as it is very difficult to forge. Moreover, these payment instruments allow offline transactions, in conditions of maximum security without the need of contacting the issuing bank, all of these due to the security configurations of the chip. Thus, the payment processing speed will increase. Last, but not least, the MasterCard Gold Miles & More magnetic strip credit card holders who wish to replace them with the chip version may do so for no additional cost.
"We wish to offer the bank’s clients efficient and safe payment instruments, that is why we introduced in our portfolio the MasterCard Gold Miles & More chip credit card", stated Bogdan Spuza, Marketing and Segments Director of UniCredit Tiriac Bank. "We consider that by launching this product with superior security features we meet the needs and expectations of out clients."
"Last year, the MasterCard Gold Miles & More credit card was the first to bring on the Romanian market the largest fidelity program in Europe, which enjoyed great success in the neighboring countries", said Cosmin Vladimirescu, Account Manager for Romania, MasterCard Europe. "MasterCard supports the partner financial institutions in the migration process for the EMV technology and we are certain that, beside the benefits already known by the MasterCard Gold Miles & More card holders, they will appreciate the extra safety offered by the introduction of the chip."
Miles & More is the largest fidelity program in Europe, which targets frequent fliers, offering the possibility to accumulate and spend premium miles.
The MasterCard Gold Miles & More chip credit cards offer multiple advantages to the clients, who may accumulate premium miles when flying with Lufthansa and the Miles & More partner air flight companies, when they use partner hotels, when paying bills, as well as when they pay using the card. The miles thus accumulated may be used in order to pay for air flights or to obtain various discounts. The MasterCard Gold Miles & More chip credit cards also include international travel insurance from AIG România.
In Romania, UniCredit Tiriac Bank launched in May 2009 the magnetic strip version of the co-branded MasterCard Gold Miles & More card.
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About UniCredit Tiriac Bank
UniCredit Tiriac Bank is part of the UniCredit Group network, the largest bank group in Central and Eastern Europe. UniCredit Tiriac Bank is a true "one-stop-shop" for financial services, which currently has approximately 600,000 clients via 242 branches. The Bank offers in Romania a large range of specialized products and services by its partners, UniCredit Leasing Corporation, UniCredit CAIB Securities, UniCredit CAIB România, UniCredit Insurance Broker, Pioneer Asset Management, UniCredit Consumer Finance and UniCredit Processes and Administration.
About Miles & More
Miles & More is the program dedicated to the frequent fliers, developed by Lufthansa, in partnership with air flight companies Adria Airways, Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines Group, Cirrus Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa Regional, Lufthansa Private Jet and Swiss International Air Lines. Launched in 1993 by Lufthansa, the program currently has approximately 16 million members world-wide, being the largest fidelity program in Europe for frequent fliers. The Miles & More members accumulate premium miles when they fly using each of the Star Alliance partners, but also when they make transactions with the partner dealers. The accumulated premium miles may be used for paying air flights or for obtaining other prizes.
About Lufthansa
Lufthansa Group sums up a number of privately-owned companies, which offer air transport services, including passenger flights by Deutsche Lufthansa AG, logistics, catering for flights, flights device maintenance and informational technology. Lufthansa is a founding member of the Star Alliance, developing one of the most powerful alliances in the industry.
About MasterCard Incorporated
MasterCard Incorporated promotes global commerce, offering an essential economical connection between financial institutions, companies, card holders and dealers, world-wide. In its triple capacity of franchisor, processer and counselor, MasterCard develops and supports payment solutions, processes over 21 billion transactions each year and offers specialized tests and consultancy services to the financial institutions that are it clients and to dealers. With the support of MasterCard Worldwide Network and via its trademarks MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard offers services to clients and companies in over 210 countries and territories.